Folding receptacle.



c. H. STEMPEL. FOLDING RECEPTAGLE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT-l6, 1915- 2SHEETS-SHEET I.

Patented Mar. 7 1916.

C. H. STEMPEL.

FOLDING RECEPTACLE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 16, 1915.

1,174,364. Patented Mar. 7,1916.

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FOLDING BECEPTAGLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. '2, 1916.

Application filed September 16, 1915. Serial No. 51,024.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL H; STEMIEL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Fort Madison, in the county of Lee and State of Iwa,'haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Receptacles; andI do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

' This invention relates to new and useful improvements in collapsiblereceptacles, and the primary object of this inventlon is to provide animproved device of thls character, preferably of rectangular shape, andof such size and construction that the same may be easily'folded andassembled again.

Another object of this invention is to provide a receptacle which isespecially adapted for use in shipping fruit, small vegetables, etc., asthe same may be collapsed when not in use, occupies a very smallspace,and may be easily returned to the shipper.

A further object of this invention is to provide a collapsible box ofthis characterwhereby upon the same being assembled, it willautomatically lock itself in open position, and will be retained in saidpositlon against any accidental disengagement.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device of thischaracter which is simple and durable in construction, Inexpensive tomanufacture, and one which will be very efiicient in operation.

With these and numerous other objects in view, the invention consists ofthe novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of partswhich will be herein referred to and more particularly pointed out inthe specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a foldingreceptacle constructed in accordance with my invention; Figs. 2 and 3are respectively bottom and topv plan views of the receptacle in foldedposition; Fig. 4 is a central vertical longitudinal section as viewed onthe plane designated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Figs. 5 and 6 arerespectively a vertical transverse and a horizontal longitudinal sectiontaken on the planes indicated respectively by the lines 5-5 and 66 ofFig. 4; Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the receptacle in unfoldedposition; Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view thereof positioned as shown inFig. 7

Fig. 9-is an end elevation; Fig. 10 is a central longitudinal section ofthe receptacle 1n the position shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9; Flg. 11 is avertical transverse section taken on the plane of the line 11-11 of Fig.10; and Flg. 12 is a plan view of the blank from WlllCh the article isconstructed.

In describing my invention I shall refer I to the drawings in whichsimilar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views, andin which the numeral 1 designates my collapsibleboxof the receptacle in close proximity to one another. The oppositeends of the side walls 2 of this receptacle have projecting laterallytherefrom and inwardly toward one another, extensions 4 and 5. Theseextensions l and 5 are adapted to have their ends secured together, asshown at 6. This connection between the two side walls forms end wallswhich will hereinafter be designated by the numeral 7 for thereceptacle, said end walls being formed, as hereinbefore stated, insections, and hinged to one another at a point in alinement with theapex of the V-shaped bottom 3. These sectional end walls 7 of thereceptacle are adapted to move outwardly, and owing to the fact that thesame are connected together, the outward movement will consequently drawthe side walls 2 toward one another and fold the receptacle. When theend walls 7 of this receptacle are moved outwardly to their fullestextent, this device will assume the position shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4of the drawings, and it will be noticed that the V-shaped bottom of thesame will be folded inwardly, having its two sections brought togetherwhich will consequently bring the sidewalls of the device together, thesame being positioned in the same plane as the extensions at either end.This operation will fold the receptacle in aflat compact body thatrenders the same very easy to pacl: for shippin purposes. Thisreceptacle 1 is provide with a locking device to hold the same in openosition which co mprises substantially, ta s that coact with flanges,said tabs projecting from the end walls ofthe' receptacle andengagingflan es spaced-beneath the ll-shaped bottom. he

tabs which are designated by the numeral 8, project inwardly from theinner lower portion of the end walls-7, and in vert1cal alinement with.the apex of the inverted V-shaped bottom 3. These tabs 8 havecorrespondingly shaped flaps 9' hingedly connectedtherewith at theirupper edge and extending downwardly on opposlte sides of the same. Theupper edges 10 of the tabs and flaps are notched as shown at 11 for apur ose to be hereinafter more fully desori ed.

The ends of the inverted V-shaped bottom 3 of the receptacle 1, haveprojecting therefrom and extending rearwardly and down-. wardly, flanges12 which are positioned lee-- neath the end portions of the said bottom,and are adapted to engage the tabs that project from the end walls 7 ofthe receptacle.- .These flanges 12 are normally posltioned inwardl andhave a tendency to extend slightly I that the ends of the V-shapedbottom, to

ownward, owing to the fact which they are hinged, and of which they arean integral part, are sloped inwardl\y from their outer edges to theapex of the as clearly shown in Figs. 8, l0 and 12 of the drawings.Owing to this arrangement, when the ii-shaped bottom is opened outtionedbelow the edges of the flanges, cause 7 the said edges to drop into thenotches and to be firmly and securely held therein, which willautomatically look the tabs against any withdrawal from the bottom ofthe receptacle. By this construction, as hereinbefore particular?described, when this receptacle ls'folded at as shown in Figs. 2 and 3of the drawings and it is desired to assemble the same, or open it foruse, it is only necessary to move the end sections 7 of the sameinwardly, whereby the tabs and flaps 8 and 9 will be moved inwardly intoengagement with the flanges 12 of the ll-shaped ottom 3, and when theend sections 7 are brought up inst the ends of the said-bottom and walls2; the flanges 12 w are pmltioned at right anlfiles to the side owing tothe downward pressure that is exerted upon the t n e, be positioned inthe notches 11 in the wedge 10 of thesaid tabs and flaps. to anautomatic log me These ta .means for the bottom of the receptacle asmasses that will hold this receptacle in open posi- "tion, and willsecure the same against. any

casual disen agement. on it is desired 1 to return the receptacle to itsflat'position for any pur ose, it is only necessary to lift the tabs anflaps from out of engagement with the flanges, whereby upon compressingthe side walls 2 or pulling outwardly on the end walls 7, the saidreceptacle will return to its flat condition.

Theflaps 9 are positioned on the tabs 8 to form a reinforcing means forthe same and to make the engagement of the so with the flangesadditionally firm and secure.

s and flaps also form a reinforcing well as an automatic lock for thesame. This device will be found very eficient in use, as

it is easily and simply assembled, and when so assembled forms a recetacle in which berries, etc., may be rea y displayed or shipped. Owingto the manner in which this device may be folded, it will be found whenthe material has been removed therefrom, may be flattened out, and whenin said position forms a small and com act device that may be readilyshipped wit a number of others. Attention is especially called in thisdevice to the mainner in which the flaw es 12 are hingedly connected atthe ends of to V-shaped ottom 3, as owing to this position the same willhave a constant tendency to move downwardly, upon the opening of theV-shaped bottom, which is necessary to automatically lock and hold thisdevice as described.

lFromthe fore oing description of my improved device, t e manner ofapplyin the same to use and the operation. thereo be readily understood,and it .wi. be seen that l[ have provided a simple, inexpve and eficicntmeans for carrying out the objects of this invention.

ll cla1m:

l. A receptacle comprising side w i ngedly connected by an invertedV-sha ed bottom, sectionalv hinged end walls mova le outward, flatvertically disp tabs projecting inwardly from the angle of said endwalls and beneath the inverted V-shaped bottom and in vertical alinementwith the apex of the same, inwardly projecting flanges on the ends ofsaid bottom, and coactin means between said tabs and flans to loo theend walls when in open osition.

2. A receptacle comprising si e walls hingedly connected by an invertedV-sha ed bottom, sectional hinged end walls mova le outwar, tabsprojectmg-inwardly from said end 5 beneath the inverted V-shaped bottomand having notches in their upper edge, and inwardly and downwprojetting flanges on the ends of said ottom adapted to autotic y g thgpiqfl .especially adaptable for use, as the se,

notches and to be retained in said engagement to lock the receptacle inopen pos1tion.

3. A receptacle comprising side walls hingedly connected by an invertedupwardly pro ecting V-shaped bottom, sectional hinged end wallsconnecting the ends of said side walls and movable outward, said endwalls each having a tab projecting inwardly from its lower portion invertical alinement with the apex of the inverted V-shaped bottom andpositioned below the same, correspondingly shaped flanges on said tabs,the upper edge of said tabs and flaps being notched, and flanges oneither end of said inverted V-shaped bottom projecting inwardly anddownwardly and held under a constant downward pressure when thereceptacle is open, and adapted for engagement with'said notches to.prevent the same from moving outward, whereby the receptacle will beheld in open position.

4. A one piece receptacle comprising a bottom hinged on a line extendingcentrally from one end to the other, foldable sides connected to theouter edges of said bottom, the ends of said bottom sloping inwardlyfrom their outer edges to the center, flanges hingedly connected to saidends, slightly inclined diverging foldable end portions projecting fromthe ends of said sides, two of said ends at diagonally opposite pointshaving foldable extensions thereon, the remaining two diagonallypositioned ends having proj ecting tabs foldably connected with aportion of these outer edges adjacent the inner edges, laterallyprojecting portions on said tabs, said laterally projecting portions ofthe tabs being foldable upon the same, and notches in the edges formedthereby.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

CARL H. STEMPEL. Witnesses:

R. J. HOPKIRK, H. W. Donn.

